The sun was already blinding me by the time I headed out to walk the critters this morning - how did it get so late? To save time, I decided we would run! We could all use the exercise; Max is only a puppy in his mind, now - his body is middle-aged thick - and Frankie needs to be in top form to run from cars and coyotes.
I started off and right away wondered why running on the road is so much harder than running on the treadmill - geez...I could go three miles watching television downstairs but I wasn't sure I could even make it the half mile to the curve without stopping to catch my breath!
I thought of a series of posts my friend Gina wrote recently about breathing. It helped me focus...in...out...in...out...and I found a rhythm.
I thought of my mother and her battle for breath. I said a quick prayer for her and remembered I normally say the Rosary during my morning walks. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth...
I counted the decades off on my fingers...the mysteries ran through the background of my brain while my mind wandered to a friend who just discovered he has a mass on his brain...to other prayer requests I'd seen in my email and on Facebook ...to candles, real and virtual, lit in continual prayer on the altar of our church and on Gratefulness.org...to the friend who introduced me to the virtual candle site - she recently lost her daughter to a drunk driver...to another friend who recently lost his son and is now reinventing himself to be a counselor to youth at risk...and to other friends who are worried about their children, their parents, their grandchildren, their marriages, their jobs, their health...to images on television of homes threatened by mudslides in California and crying children in Haiti, victims of the devastating earthquake and massive aftershock...
And then I was at the curve. I slowed to a walk - the road dips and I'm klutzy enough that I would slip on a rock for sure if I kept running down the hill. I looked up at the brilliant blue sky and twirled around, amazed at the beauty...overwhelmed by my blessings. I stretched while Max and Frankie did their respective sniffing and snacking, then we headed back home. It was easier starting off this time. I picked up the pace a little...Hail Mary, full of grace...
...I prayed for my children...our marriage...our finances...our country...my parents...my siblings and their families...Tom's parents and siblings and their families...my friends - I know all of them have worries and fears and needs of some kind, whether they ask for prayer or not...
I was almost home...I was amazed at how strong I felt - I knew I could keep on running and running if I had time - I felt so light...like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
Well, I guess it had.
My heart trusts in the Lord, and I am helped.
Psalm 28:7
